The importance of stopping all activities and being alone with God
Greeting to you, dear readers of „Daily Word for Spiritual Edification”!
I want to share with you lessons from the life of a woman from Canaan that are recorded in Chapter 15 of the Gospel of Matthew. Many of us know this story very well.
«Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Then she came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour» (Matthew, 15:21-28).
There are many different stories of women, mothers and fathers in the Bible. There are many biblical heroes who have left examples of how we need and how we do not need to live. The main idea of this story is mother’s reward for being persistent in prayer for her children.
Let’s try to look at this story more carefully. Here we see Jesus, His disciples, a woman and her daughter, – they all played a particular part in this story. And the story left a certain impression on each of its players.
Firstly, we read that Jesus departed from a place and left for Tyre and Sidon. He moved away from the land of Judah or Israel and entered pagan territory to rest from ministry work. We can read about this in Mark (7:24):
«From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden.»
Jesus came to Tyre and Sidon to find some solitude and rest from people because His last day was coming closer – the day of His death on Golgotha. Possibly, Jesus wanted to be alone with His Father to discuss what was awaiting Him on Golgotha. Thus, Jesus was showing us an example of stopping all activities and being alone with God. We also need – every once in a while – to leave all the clutter of this world and all its cares and to find time for being alone with the Father.
God is calling you today to find the right time and the right place to be alone with God even among all the cares and stresses of this world. By doing this you will be able to gain access to godly wisdom, receive peace from God and succeed in this life.
May God help you in it!
We will continue tomorrow.
Pastor Rufus Ajiboye
